Big Savage Tunnel Opens for the 2024 Season

The Big Savage Tunnel opens Thursday, March 28th, for the 2024 season. Crews from Somerset County and the Somerset County Recreation & Trails Association will open the west and east portals in the morning, and riders will have full access by noon. This marks the 18th season the tunnel has been officially open. The 3,294-foot-long…

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Big Savage Tunnel Closes for the Winter

The Big Savage Tunnel, Mile 22, on the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County is closed. The tunnel built in the early 1900s for the Western Maryland Railway and rehabilitated for the Great Allegheny Passage trail, closes during the winter to protect the interior from ice damage. There is no suitable detour around the tunnel…

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** UPDATE NOW OPEN! Temporary Closure of The Great Allegheny Passage due to Severe Weather Damage

** UPDATE NOW OPEN! The Great Allegheny Passage, a renowned recreational trail connecting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland, has experienced temporary closures in two sections due to severe weather damage caused by an F2 tornado that struck the region on the morning of August 26th. The affected areas include the segment between Connellsville and Ohiopyle,…

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Big Savage Closing – Dec 1st

All good things must come to an end ….  at least for a couple of months. The Big Savage Tunnel will close for the winter Thursday, December 1st. This is an annual seasonal closing to seal relatively warm air in the tunnel and prevent ice from damaging the entrance and concrete liner. Thanks for visiting…

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ALERT! GAP TRAIL CLOSING FOR BRIDGE REPAIRS | NOV 8, 2022

ALERT! GAP TRAIL CLOSING FOR BIRDGE REPAIRS | NOV 8, 2022 To our trail community, we want you all to be aware that this fall, Somerset County will be closing the GAP from the Harnedsville Trail Head (Mile Marker 59) to the Markelton Trail Head (Mile Marker 50). The County has hired Crilon Corp. to…

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GAP Trail delays Mile 110 – 111. Cedar Creek / West Newton

Intermittent Closures at Cedar Creek Park (GAP Mile 110) Partially Obstructed: Intermittent closures in Cedar Creek Park; expect brief delays during daylight hours. For through riders, check with the crews working for a way around the closed portion.

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The Big Savage Tunnel is open.

 The trail crew from Somerset County, plus volunteers, opened the Big Savage Tunnel. The lights are on and it will remain open through the 2022 season. The trails leading up to the tunnel, from both sides, are still wet and a little soft, but will dry and compact. A new limestone surface was laid, from…

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The Big Savage Tunnel opens April 1st

The Big Savage Tunnel will open April 1st. It’s been a long winter, but spring is rapidly approaching, even in the highlands of the Allegheny Mountains. That translates to robins returning, turkey vultures sailing on the thermals, skunk cabbage in the wetlands, and most of all, the Big Savage Tunnel, Mile 22 on the Great…

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Big Savage Tunnel will close Monday, Dec. 6th.

 All good things must come to an end ….  at least for a couple months. The Big Savage Tunnel will close for the winter Monday, December 6th. This is an annual seasonal closing to seal relatively warm air in the tunnel, and prevent ice from damaging the entrance and concrete liner. Thanks for visiting the…

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HEADS UP – Heavy vehicles on the GAP

  Somerset County is resurfacing the GAP between the Mason & Dixon Line (Mile 21) and Miller’s Run Trail Access/Sand Patch (Mile 28).  Between November 15th and the 24th. That includes the Big Savage Tunnel. The tunnel WILL NOT BE CLOSED during the work, but there will be big trucks coming through while trail users are going…

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